Frequency transformation by non-linear processes in the cochlea

• US 20090060239A1
• Filed: 09/02/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Latzel, Matthias
• Application Number:
  US12/231,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20090060239A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/312
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/353 Frequency, e.g. frequency shift or compression

Abstract

The invention relates to a hearing device, comprising an electroacoustic output converter, characterized in that the hearing device has a tone generator for generating a continuous tone with a constant frequency. By generating the continuous tone, high range frequencies can be transformed into audible ranges by way of non-linear transformation processes in the inner ear.

Claims

1-6. -6. (canceled)

7. A hearing device, comprising:

a tone generator that generates a continuous tone for a sound signal with a constant frequency being set to adjust the hearing device to a hearing device wearer; and

an electro-acoustic output converter connected to the that outputs the continuous tone to the hearing device wearer.

8. The hearing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the tone generator comprises a switching element that generates an electrical voltage with a characteristic time response.

9. The hearing device as claimed in claim 7, further comprising an electroacoustic input converter that receives the sound signal.

10. The hearing device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising an amplifying unit that amplifies the sound signal.

11. The hearing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the tone generator is selectively activated.

12. A method for operating a hearing device, comprising:

generating a continuous tone for a sound signal phase by phase with a constant frequency being set to adjust the hearing device to a hearing device wearer; and

outputting the continuous tone to the hearing device wearer.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising amplifying the sound signal.